We'll be in Avignon next week. "We" is my husband, my three kids (13, 12 and 7,) my 70-year-old dad and me.

What nearby villages do you suggest? I was thinking Vaison-la-Romaine, St. Remy. But we're open to anything. We're just excited for a new adventure.

Thanks in advance.

Do you have my 20+ page itinerary for Provence? Lots of suggestions in it.

E-mail me at [email protected] if you want a free copy.

Stu Dudley

Often overlooked is nearby Villeneuve-les-Avignon, which is well worth a visit. For visual ideas on many places, see our phototravelogue at http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/...08%3A540606391

Worth a visit to Pont du Gard and Uzes.

If you have time, think about Nimes / Arles / Aigues Mortes / Camargue.

Peter

In Avignon, the Pope's Palace is a first-rank attraction.

Also explore Avignon's Old Town, the markets, shops and fabulous restaurant scene.

For the remaining three days, my recommendations are:

- Nimes - the city with the best Roman ruins in Provence.
- Arles - ranking second when it comes to Roman ruins.
- Pont du Gard - absolutely impressive and very scenic.
- A scenic tour through the Alpilles, with visits of Les Antiques (very impressive Roman monuments), Glanum (a whole Roman town) and Les Baux (medieval town in spectacular setting).

These four destinations are the highlights around Avignon. If you have time, there are some more options:

- Riding on horseback through the Camargue swamps - very impressive.
- The walled medieval town Aigues-Mortes.
- Orange with more Roman ruins.
- Vaison-la-Romaine with more excavations.

like everyone else's advice. Note it can be very cold in Avignon at this time of year.

The ticket for the pope's palace and the bridge can be bought as one and cheaper.

Avignon does get some drunks walking about.

Loads of restaurants around.

Will you be renting a car?
All of the recommendations above are good, but some are at a distance, so having your own wheels is a good idea. But parking in Avignon can be a horror. Check if your hotel provides and cost, though if I recall there is a parking lot under the city near the Pope's Palace.

Get a map and see where all are located as relates to Avignonn. Plan your sightseeing in one direction and back for same day rather than zig-zagging.

Example: Nimes, Uzes, Pont du Gard in same direction - west.
Arles, Camarge - south, while Aigues Mortes - southwest
Orange and Vaison la Romaine - north
St. Remy, Glanum, Les Baux - south (not as far south as Arles/Camarque)

We will have a car. What about Chateauneuf-du-Pape?

also, thanks for the advice on parking. We've rented an apartment, and our landlady told us where to park the car. It's very near the pedestrian area of the city.

Chateauneuf is a pleasant enough village (and of course, great wine) but this time of year much will be closed there and the castle ruins themselves are nothing special and your kids risk getting bored quickly (unless they're into deep, rich Reds).

Surprised no one has mentioned Tarascon. Great town and one of the best preserved medieval castles in all of Provence. Great visit for kids and adults.

-Kevin

Thanks, Kevin. My kids would like to be into deep, rich reds, but they'll have to wait until they go to college and I don't know what they're doing.

Will seriously consider Tarascon. Loving everything so far.